Colin Kaepernick SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers kneels for the National Anthem before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Five years ago, if someone said Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem would make headlines for months and months, I probably wouldn’t believe them. Then again, most people wouldn’t have thought many of the events that happened in both 2016 and 2017 would ever take place.

Today, another one of those stories has emerged. ESPN has reported that Colin Kaepernick will be standing during the national anthem next season.

The fact that this is a major news story is so very strange.

According to Adam Schefter, Kaepernick doesn’t want future kneeling to take away any positive change his past kneeling has created. Schefter also said the QB thinks the “national discussion on social inequality” confirms that his original message has gained traction and created positive dialogue.

This news comes a day after Schefter also reported Kaepernick would be opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers to become a free agent for the first time in his career.

“The league was notified in a letter sent to all teams by Kaepernick’s representation, Select Sports Group. Thursday is the first day Kaepernick can opt out, and he has until the new league year begins March 9 to do it.

Kaepernick’s contract was originally supposed to keep him with the Niners through 2020, but the team worked with the 29-year-old to revamp it before he reclaimed the starting job in October.”

So as for the national anthem, Kaepernick could be standing for them in San Francisco next year or somewhere else, we just don’t know yet. Wherever it is, Kaepernick actually standing during his first national anthem of the year will probably make headlines.

[ESPN]

About David Lauterbach

David is a writer for The Comeback. He enjoyed two Men's Basketball Final Four trips for Syracuse before graduating in 2016. If The Office or Game of Thrones is on TV, David will be watching.

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